Basket-type floor merchandiser



June 21, 1938, J, LAWLER 2,121,155

BASKET TYPE FLOOR MBRCHANDISER Filed Nov. 2, 1935 Patented June 21, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Hazard Advertising N. Y., a corporation Corporation, New York, of New York Application November 2, 1935, Serial No. 47,962

3 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to display devices, and has particular reference to a display stand adapted to accommodate merchandise which is offered for sale.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved device of the character which is known in the trade as a basket-type floor merchandiser, such a device consisting essentially of a pedestal which supports a wide-mouthed receptacle Within which articles of merchandise are adapted to be accommodated. The device is designed primarily for use in a store at a location easily accessible to prospective purchasers; and, preferably, though not necessarily, the articles of merchandise are disposed within the device in a jumbled haphazard relationship. Such an arrangement has been found in practice to be conducive toward having the purchaser serve him.- self, thus effecting more ready sales.

While the device is referred to herein as a floor merchandiser, nevertheless it will be understood that it is equally adapted for'use on a counter, when made of somewhat smaller size.

The characterizing feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the device is in the form of a knock-down cardboard structure, composed entirely of simple elements of sheet material shaped and constructed to permit the same to be set up with rapidity and facility, and adapted to be collapsed (when the device is disassembled) into substantially flat condition. The term cardboard is used in a generic sense, and is intended to signify sheet material of the cardboard variety, as distinguished from more permanent and rigid material such as metal or wood. Cardboard or the like is admirably suited for the present purpose because of the extremely small expense which is involved in manufacturing the device; because of the ease with which it may be shaped, cut, and configured into collapsible elements; and because of the ability to, print or lithograph upon the cardboard whatever ornamentation, indicia, and advertising material are desired.

Briefly, the present improved structure .is composed of a cylindrical pedestal element having an open upper end, and a conical element adapted to accommodate the merchandise and concentrically supported on the rim of the pedestal with its apex extending downwards into the pedestal. Each of these elements is formed of sheet stock and is suitably configured and constructed so that it may be readily set up or collapsed into a substantially fiat condition. More particularly, it has, been found preferable and advantageous to construct the pedestal element of a single rectangular blank of carboard or the like which may be rolled upon itself so that, by interconnecting its opposite edges, a cylindrical pedestal is formed. Similarly, the conical element may be advantageously formed of a circular blank having a radial out or notch which permits the blank to be fiex'ed into conical configuration, the opposite edges of the cut being adapted'to be interengaged to hold the elements in set-up condition.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the device in cludes a third element consisting of a blank conforming to the sector 6f the cone and arranged in superposed relationship to the conical element, with the apex of the sector at the apex of the conical element, and with the wider end of the sector projecting beyond the periphery ofthe conical element. The sector element is advantageous in that its conceals the joint of the conical element, and it serves as an eificient isplay panel upon which advertising material or other ornamentation, such as a trade mark, may be conveniently displayed.

The device is characterized by the extreme simplicity of its structure and component parts, and by a total absence of any supporting elements or material other than cardboard or the like. As a result, the elements can be packed and shipped in aifiat container, easily set up and assembled, and completely discarded after the device has served its purposes.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is .a perspective view of a basket-type floor merchandiser of the present character, with illustrative articles of merchandise accommodated therein;

Figure 2 is a perspective view taken from a higher point of View, with the articles of merchandise omitted;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken subused on the floor, the device is approximately two or three feet high, so that the articles of merchandise are within easy reach. If used on the counter, the device is of suitably reduced size, but is structurally the same. The customer perceives a pedestal ID on the top of which a basket-type receptacle II is arranged. Within the latter there may be a jumble of merchandise such as the cans designated by the reference numeral l2. Projecting upwardly from the periphery of the receptacle H is a display panel l3. On the panel, and also on the pedestal Ill, if desired, suitable indicia, such as a trade mark or the like, is printed or lithographed.

The structural simplicity of the device will be more fully appreciated by referring first to the figures in which the individual blanks of sheet material are shown. In Figure 6, for example, a rectangular blank I4 is shown, the length and breadth being approximately in the proportions illustrated, whereby the blank may be rolled upon.

itself to bring the edge l5 into juxtaposition to the edge l6, thereby forming a cylindrical structure. Any suitable fastening means may be provided, but I prefer to employ perforations I! and I8, whereby paper fasteners or similar elements 19 will serve to hold the edges l5 and IS in the overlapped relationship shown most clearly in Figure 2.

To rigidify the structure, it is preferable to employ a bracing disc 20 (Figure '7) which conforms in contour to the cross-section of the cylindrical pedestal element. I have illustratively shown the element 20 of circular configuration. It is preferably composed of more rigid cardboard, such as corrugated board, and it may be provided with the integral ears 2| which assume the upstanding position of Figure 3 when the disc 20 is inserted into the base of the set-up cylindrical pedestal element.

When formed, the pedestal element has an open upper end, and in accordance with the present invention a conical element is concentrically supported on the rim'of the pedestal. The conical element may be formed of a circular blank 22 (Figure 5) having a radial cut or notch 23. This permits the blank 22 to be deflected so as to bring the opposite edges 24 and 25 of the radial cut into juxtaposition, thereby forming the blank into conical shape. Any suitable means may be provided for holding the edges 24 and 25 together, and I have illustratively shown slits 26 adjacent to the edge 24, and tabs 21 on the edge 25, the tabs 21 fitting into the slits 26 and thus serving to hold the blanks in set-up condition. For a purpose presently to be described, the blank is also provided with slits 28 arranged along radial lines.

The blank 22 is of such a size that when the conical element is formed, the diameter of the periphery of the conical element will be greater than, but no more than approximately twice as great as, the diameter of the upper rim of the pedestal element. This permits the conical element to be supported by its own weight on the open upper end of the pedestal element, with the apex downwardly, as shown most clearly in Figure 3. An unusually staunch assembly is thus provided, notwithstanding the absence of more rigid elements of wood, metal, or the like. When articles of merchandise, even relatively heavy articles such as cans, are disposed within the cone, they gravitate towardthe apex and the weight is thus concentrated toward an axial point. This tends to wedge the conical element downwardly into the pedestal element, and it disposes the center of gravity of the device as a whole well within the confines of the pedestal element, so that a stable and staunch structure results. In fact, the structure is more rigid, and less likely to be upset, when it is accommodating merchandise, than when it is empty. This is due partly to the unique mode of assembly of the parts, and partly to the relationship between the diameter of the periphery of the cone and the diameter of the upper rim of the pedestal.

In Figure 4, I have shown an additional blank 29, which is preferably employed and which serves as a display panel. It has the shape of a sector of the cone, with the straight edges 30 and 3| and the curved edge 32. The edges 30 and 3| have the tabs 33 which are adapted to enter and engage with the slots 28, thus positioning the apex 34 at the apex of the conical element. The blank 29 is of a size, however, whereby the edge 32 projects beyond the edge of the conical element. It is this additional radial length which provides for the panel effect shown most clearly in Figure 1.

The element 29, as will be observed, serves to conceal the joint between the edges 24 and 25 of the conical element, and the merchandise that is inserted into the conical element bears down upon the element 29 and serves to hold the same in proper position.

I have illustratively shown a sheaf of paper blanks 35 stapled, as at 36, to the panel element 28. These blanks may consist of recesses, or advertising circulars, or the like, and it has been found in practice that a purchaser will readily withdraw not only one of the articles from the device but will also help himself to one or more of the blanks 35.

It will be understood that the elements herein illustrated, by way of example, are not the only shapes which may be employed. The pedestal element need not, for example, be strictly of circular cylindrical cross-section, nor of uniform cross-section throughout. The conical element need not have a periphery which is strictly circular; and the panel element need not necessarily have the sector shape illustrated. Essentially, however, the simple structural nature of the device will be apparent, whereby a relatively few blanks of inexpensive cardboard or its equivalent may be readily set up into a staunch structure admirably suited for its intended purposes.

After the device has served its function, it may be discarded in its entirety, or, if preferred, the elements may be disassembled and collapsed into substantially fiat condition, whereby they are again ready for compact shipping or storing.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A basket-type floor merchandiser comprising a knock-down cardboard structure composed of a cylindrical pedestal element having an open upper end, and an independent conical element adapted to accommodate a jumble of merchan-i dise and concentrically supported on the rim of said pedestal with its apex extending downwards into the pedestal; said conical element complete- 1y closing the open upper end of the pedestal element and having an apex angle of approximately 90; each of said elements being formed of sheet stock and being collapsible into a substantially fiat condition.

2. A basket-type floor merchandiser comprising a knock-down cardboard structure composed of a cylindrical pedestal element having an open upper end, and an independent conical element adapted to accommodate a jumble of merchandise and concentrically supported on the rim of said pedestal with its apex extending downwards into the pedestal; said conical element completely closing the open upper end of the pedestal element and having an apex angle of approximately 90"; each of said elements being formed of sheet stock and being collapsible into a substantially flat condition, and said conical element comprising a substantially circular, fiat blank With a radial cut permitting theblank to be flexed into conical conformation.

3. A basket-type floor merchandiser comprising a knockdown'cardboard structure composed of a cylindrical pedestal element having an open upper end, and an independent conical element adapted to accommodate a jumble of merchandise and concentrically supported on the rim of said pedestal with its apex extending downwards into the pedestal, said conical element completely closing the open upper end of the pedestal element and having an apex angle of approximately 90, said conical element being formed of a substantially circular, fiat blank with a radial cut permitting the blank to be flexed into conical conformation, an element conforming to a sector of said cone and carried by said conical element over said radial cut so as to conceal the latter and also to serve as a display panel, and means for removably securing said last-named element in position.

' JAMES LAWLER. 

